THERE was a time when the Queens Hotel, Regent Street, was synonymous with Kath Beardshall.
In the 1960s there were 50 members of staff at the 35-bedroom hotel, but customers immediately thought of Kath when the Queens was mentioned.
Had you walked through the revolving door, turned left at reception and negotiated a couple of tricky steps, you would have found yourself in "Kath's bar."
In the 1950s the bar was reserved for 'gentlemen.' Draught beer was served in tankards and the clientele included solicitors, accountants, businessmen and doctors.
It was not until the early or mid-1960s that women were allowed in. The decision was taken because custom was dropping off and the hotel decided to move with the times.
She was a popular woman, warm, cheery and her dress sense was impeccable. But she suffered no nonsense.
